The Transport Department announced that the services of Kowloon Bay Vehicle Examination Centre (KBVEC), which were previously suspended due to Typhoon Mangkhut, will resume today (September 18). Members of the public … read more
Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations: Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals: The Social Welfare Department has announced that as public transport … read more
The Transport Department today (September 18) said that all relevant government departments are working at full steam to clear the road surfaces and repair the damaged road facilities due to the Typhoon Mangkhut so as to resume the public transport services as soon as possible.
A spokesman for the TD reminded members of the public that they should pay attention to the traffic situation and the latest public transport services arrangements this morning before starting their journey. Motorists are advised to exercise tolerance and patience and drive carefully.
As at 10.30pm yesterday, the latest public transport situation is as follows:
(I) MTR Services
Rail services – all rail lines, service normal
Light Rail services – except route no. 751 and 761P, service normal
MTR Bus services – limited services
(II) Franchised Bus Services
Affected by fallen trees and other obstacles, there are 229 bus routes (a total of about 600 routes) maintaining normal services.
| District | Number of bus routes maintaining normal service |
| Hong Kong Island | 33 |
| Airport and Lantau | 53 |
| Kowloon | 31 |
| New Territories East | 20 |
| New Territories West | 60 |
| Cross Harbour Routes | 32 |
| Total | 229 |
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Berlin (HKETO Berlin) has showcased Hong Kong’s flourishing literature scene at the Hong Kong Literature Days on September 14 and 15 at China Time Hamburg in Germany. Hosted by the Senate Chancellery of Hamburg and running this year from September 1 to 23, China Time Hamburg is a biennial series of China-related events providing insights into contemporary and traditional Chinese life through exhibitions, concerts, lectures, discussions, readings, theatre, films and culinary specialties.
In his welcome remarks on September 14 (Hamburg time), the Director of HKETO Berlin, Mr Bill Li, referred to Hong Kong’s diversity and vibrant cultural scene. “As Asia’s world city, Hong Kong has always been a melting pot of cultures and is developing into a global creative hub. Hong Kong people have proven talent in reflecting their lives in a creative way through film or music, theatre or dance, literature or culinary specialties, as you can experience at China Time Hamburg,” he said.
Through public readings, a podium discussion session and a film screening event, the Hong Kong Literature Days brought to attention the voices of two well-known contemporary writers from Hong Kong, Sharon Chung and Dr Ma Ka-fai.
Sharon Chung published her first novel, “Tingche zan jiewen” (“A Carriage Stopped By”), in 1981. In 2002, this love story was turned into a film. Chung holds a degree from the University of Michigan’s institute of film and is also the author of short stories and poetry. Furthermore she has worked as a translator and screenwriter.
Dr Ma Ka-fai worked in the fields of advertising and film and is now teaching media and creative writing at the City University of Hong Kong. He wrote his first novel, “Long tou feng wei” (“Once Upon a Time in Hong Kong”), at the age of 51, after having published many scientific texts and pieces of reportage literature. The prize-winning novel was published in 2016 and tells the story of a young gangster in Hong Kong.
The rising importance of cultural life in Hong Kong is underlined by a growing number of globally recognised events including Art Basel Hong Kong and new development projects such as the 40-hectare West Kowloon Cultural District and Tai Kwun, a centre for heritage and arts where the Hong Kong International Literary Festival will be held from November 2 to 11 this year.
About HKETO Berlin
HKETO Berlin is the official Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government representative in commercial relations and other economic and trade matters in Germany as well as Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Switzerland.
The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, this afternoon (September 17) in Beijing called on the Commissioner of the State Administration of Taxation, Mr Wang Jun, to exchange views on taxation matters of mutual interest, including Hong Kong people’s concern that following the amendment of the Mainland law on personal income tax, Hong Kong residents who have resided in the Mainland for a total of 183 days in a tax year while receiving an income either from Mainland or abroad should pay Mainland personal income tax.
In consideration of the special circumstances of Hong Kong residents, both sides agreed to actively explore ways of addressing the issue and to discuss the arrangements in detail.
In the evening, Mr Chan headed to Tianjin for attending the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2018, also known as the “Summer Davos” forum, tomorrow.
Upon arrival, he had dinner with representatives of Hong Kong start-up enterprises who will also attend the forum.
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